Building without a permit in Switzerland: questions and examples

Check the project against its canton, municipality, intended use, dimensions and location. A roof, change of use or protected site may be assessed differently from an open garden structure. Our check provides an initial assessment; the competent authority makes the binding decision.

Exemptions must fit the canton and plot. A size limit found online is not a Switzerland-wide exemption. Distinguish permit-exempt projects, notification procedures and permit applications, and check municipal rules too. Our local pages identify the relevant authority and official sources.

Preparing the dossier and obtaining the authority’s decision are separate stages. Signatures, completeness, specialist reviews and objections affect the process. Our package deadlines cover the agreed dossier work after payment and receipt of complete information; they do not guarantee the date of the authority’s decision.

Distinguish application preparation costs from municipal and any cantonal fees. Agreed specialist documentation or official extracts may cost extra. Our pricing page lists current package prices and scope; authority fees follow the applicable tariff.

The term bicycle shelter alone does not establish a permit exemption. Describe its roof, side walls, area, height, fixings and location. The actual construction and local rules determine the assessment. Submit it as an individual project; the general check does not have a dedicated bicycle-shelter category.

Specify whether you are only changing paving or also altering ground levels, walls, roofing or use. An open patio, a pergola and a covered terrace are different projects. We need photos, dimensions and the location to assess it; use an individual enquiry for a patio without a separate product category.

Ask the relevant municipality about a specific permit decision. Public planning notices show projects during consultation; a notice alone does not prove that a permit has been granted or become final. The City of Lucerne publishes its public planning notices on its website. baubewilligt.ch is a private dossier and introduction service, not an official permit register.